Salary Guide · 2026
West Virginia Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in West Virginia, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
West Virginia Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$32,200
-42% vs US median
Household median income
$55,217
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$26,755
Eff. rate: 16.91%
Median monthly take-home
$2,230
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in West Virginia
Tax system: Progressive state income tax (3%–6.5%)
West Virginia has a moderate progressive income tax. The cost of living is the lowest in the nation by some measures, making moderate incomes go very far in terms of day-to-day expenses.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · WV state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | $3,294 | $1,875 | $3,443 | $36,388 | $3,032 | 19.14% |
| $65,000 | $5,694 | $3,100 | $4,973 | $51,233 | $4,269 | 21.18% |
| $90,000 | $11,154 | $4,725 | $6,885 | $67,236 | $5,603 | 25.29% |
| $135,000 | $21,314 | $7,650 | $10,328 | $95,708 | $7,976 | 29.11% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in West Virginia Cities
Based on $90,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Charleston
COL: 1.21× · 1BR rent: $1,650/mo
Rent burden: 29.4% of take-home
Is $90,000 enough in Charleston? →Huntington
COL: 0.78× · 1BR rent: $800/mo
Rent burden: 14.3% of take-home
Is $90,000 enough in Huntington? →Parkersburg
COL: 0.77× · 1BR rent: $780/mo
Rent burden: 13.9% of take-home
Is $90,000 enough in Parkersburg? →Morgantown
COL: 0.91× · 1BR rent: $1,050/mo
Rent burden: 18.7% of take-home
Is $90,000 enough in Morgantown? →Wheeling
COL: 0.80× · 1BR rent: $850/mo
Rent burden: 15.2% of take-home
Is $90,000 enough in Wheeling? →Popular Salary Guides for West Virginia
Is This Salary Enough in West Virginia?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in West Virginia?
A $100,000 salary in West Virginia yields approximately $73,621 per year ($6,135/month) after federal and state taxes. In most West Virginia cities, this is above the state individual median of $32,200 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in West Virginia?
West Virginia has Progressive state income tax (3%–6.5%). For a $65,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $3,100. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in West Virginia?
The individual median income in West Virginia is $32,200 and the household median is $55,217 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $36,995–$110,434 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.